Characterization of Agropastoralist Production Systems and the Potential for Improving Livestock Productivity with Improved Feeding in Western Burkina Faso

Abstract

The major constraint of livestock farming in Burkina Faso is the feed gap. This study aims to provide information on feed resources, availability, and uses in Bama's district. Feed Assessment Tool (FEAST) was used to evaluate feed resources and to generate possible interventions. Focus groups were held and took into account 140 farmers, of which 90 were recalled for individual surveys. We found that the Bama district was characterized by agropastoral production systems in which crop provides 65.1% of household income whereas 23.9% was from livestock. Livestock feeding throughout the year depended on natural grazing. Natural pastures contributed most often to dry matter, metabolizable energy, and crude protein in animals' total diet, respectively, with 65.4, 64.4, and 61.5%. In addition to grazing, crop residues were collected after harvest to form a dietary supplement for the animals. The study also revealed nutritional gaps, and farmers were purchasing concentrates to compensate and ensure the best livestock productivity. The dominant complement purchased was cotton cake at a rate of 623.1 kg/year/household. None of the agropastoralists grew fodder crops. Identified interventions able to improve productivity and production of animals were supplementations with: a high-energy supplement (molasses); protein byproducts; pruning products, aerial parts, and leaf-stripping without sacrificing grain/tuber yields; cereal byproducts (rice bran, corn, wheat); multi-nutritional blocks; and commercially balanced feed. Given the food shortage, especially in the dry season, better management of food resources through the collection and conservation of fodder and the adoption of forage crops could increase feed availability.